Oct 20, 2004

Today is a good a day as any to post an entry in honor of our beloved Red Sox. I’ve been afraid to mention it here up until this point. And here we go again: Game 7. In NY. World Series on the line. It just doesn’t get any better than this, and it’s safe to say that SimpleBits headquarters has been entirely consumed by all of this for the past week.

Like any Sox fan, I relate the greatest comeback in baseball history directly to what I was wearing on those game days, the spot on the couch I was sitting, the brand of beer, and so on. We all know that these factors mean something. We can only hope that the ghost of Babe Ruth is tired tonight — tired of spoiling his former team’s 86 year-old goal.

Regardless of the outcome of tonights game, it’s been an incredble ride — one that few will forget that follow American baseball. Go Sox.

Update: Holy crap! Absolutely amazing.

68 Comments

The ALCS between the Red Sox and the Yankees *IS* the 2004 World Series – whatever happens next cannot compare to the intensity and excitement of this series. An unprecedented comeback, 4-hr, 5-hr games, 14 pitchers in one game – simply unbelieveable.

All I can say is “WOW!” What an exciting series. I’m not the greatest baseball fan in the world. In fact, our Jays have done so poorly that I seem to have lost interested… that is until this series started.
I definitely think the Sox have a great chance. The adrenaline they are riding on is an advantage — one the Yank’s might wish they had.
Either way, definitely one of the most intense series I’ve ever watched…

Mike said:
“The ALCS between the Red Sox and the Yankees *IS* the 2004 World Series”
They were saying that last year too until Florida won the WS. Both Houston and St Louis are better teams than whoever wins the “other” game tonight. Neverless, I will be wearing my Boston sweatshirt while I’m sitting in Bucsh stadium tonight.

I truly didn’t want to commit myself to this series like I did last year. I had resigned myself to the fact we were going to lose. They have sucked me back in again and now I have set myself up for 3 days of illness and another year of what if’s, if we lose.
I fear if the Sox don’t give Lowe, who will be on a very short leash, an early lead it may be over before it starts.
Like Dennis Leary said on the pre-show a couple nights ago – Sox fans are pessimistic optimists.

I’m a Yankees fan, always have been, always will be. If the Sox win tonight it will be because they deserved it. Francona has totally out managed Torre the last three games, and the Sox have a never say die attitude that Paul O’Niell’s Yankess used to. Heart and desire can not be rented even for $180 mil.

As a resident of the Northside of Chicago I find myself repeating the same words year after year – “This is the year.” Sadly, it hasn’t been the case. So, typically post-season baseball has always been “ehh” but this series has been CrAzY. For all intense purposes the Yankees should have sealed the deal by now but they’ve let the Sox even things up. I’d love to read what the NY papers are saying about all this.
And then on the otherside, the NL, the Cardinals (whom Dennis Leary said is the best team in baseball so it doesn’t really matter if the Yankees or the Red Sox win ’cause the Cardinals are gonna take the whole thing) have now found themselves on the edge of elimination.
Seriously, man, this has all been hard and exciting to watch. I’d love to just feel the air in Boston right now and be a fly on a wall anywhere.
Enjoy tonights game and don’t get too trashed :)

It’s funny (or depressing, however you want to look at it), but my boss is flying from Rochester, New York to Boston today at 3pm to make it to the 7th game.
Lucky duck. He’ll be witnessing history tonight if all goes as planned.

For the first time in some years, I had no real rooting interests in this year’s playoffs (my Royals had a franchise-worst season; the Oakland A’s managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on the last weekend of the season), and I honestly didn’t watch much of this series until I saw that it was the bottom of the 9th in game 4 with the Yankees up 4-3 — what the hell, I’ll watch it, see if something happens.
Needless to say, this series has kept me transfixed ever since. There are only a select few series that I’ve seen that could match how this one has gone (Yankees/Diamondbacks in ’01 was a great one IMO), but the past three games have been a brilliant reminder on why baseball is my favorite spectator sport…you may only get 2 minutes of action in a game, but each pitch, each play is a battle of wits, a physical chess match where any number of outcomes can be reached.
I really hope the Sox can pull it off; I’m not really a big Boston fan, but they deserve some happiness after what happened last year and the many, many years previous.

I was wondering when Dan would break the silence.
I too, a red sox fan, have been riding the rollercoaster of emotions for the past few days. After saturday night, I wanted to throw up … I felt sick and once again swore off Red Sox baseball for good.
I boycotted the game Monday, only flipping to see “when it was finally over” .. only getting sucked in the 9th inning again. My pathetic ode only lasted a few hours as Tuesday I could be found in downtown Boston with Beer in one hand, Rolaids in the other.
If they lose tonight, I may need help from a support group to make it through it.
Is anybody else COMPLETELY disgusted by Fox’s one sided commentary? Anybody have any way around it? Radio? Internet? SAP?
Where is Remy when you need him!!

“1. What percentage of people in Boston are even showing up at work today?”
I just started a new job so I *HAVE* to come in – quite the paradox because as much as I love going to my new place of employment, I want to be out all hours of the night drinking and laughing and rejoicing.
If they win tonight, though, I’m going out till I drop and worry about dragging my ass into work, somehow, tomorrow morning.
go sox! go d-lowe! and go all underdog loving people of the world!

It’s interesting that you mention the 86-year goal. I was thinking the other day that this is going to be the year because it’s been 86 years since they last won the World Series and the last time they were in the World Series was 1986.
Coincidence? I think not.

I’m from Utah, and have never, ever been a huge baseball fan, as basketball is my life. I read the Boston Sports Guy’s columns on ESPN, and have become a huge fan of his over the years. So every year, I root on the Red Sox. This year, I’ve watched a majority of the series. I’ve only missed from the 8th on in game 3, and parts of Sunday night’s game.
I think the only other series in basketball, I’ve ever been really “in” to, was the Kings/Lakers series from 2002. This series has been every bit as emotionally draining. I just hope the result is different here tonight after Game 7.
I was at a sports bar last night for the 8th and 9th innings. After that last strikeout, everyone cheered. I think everyone who is not a Yankees fan, regardless if they hate the Red Sox or not, are rooting the Sox on. Nobody wants to see the Yankees win.
J

Yeah, I have to agree with the FOX coverage. We’ve got the television on mute and the radio on the local station in my house to supply the play by play.. much better, and the delay’s only about a half second.
I was pacing around last night during the last two innings. Considering I can’t keep my mind on work for more than 10 minutes, I can only assume I’ll be jumping off the furniture all night.
Whatever happens, it’s been worth it. Go Sox. :)

Read: Bill Simmons
Fox related:
7. If the Yankees are down by two runs in the ninth inning, and somebody walks — like Matsui did in Game 6 — apparently it’s as good as a home run. That’s how Tim McCarver explained it last night. I’m not sure if just the Yankees are immune to double plays, or if it’s everyone in the league. But it’s an interesting development.
And – “The t-shirt guys in Boston are printing up “A-Fraud” as we speak.”

I’m a sox fan by association. One of my suite-mates is so in to them that you can’t help but get excited come playoff time. If it goes in to extra innings he pulls out a “lucky” mattress which he puts on top of a chair or couch, and then he sits on that. Don’t ask me why he started, but as it turns out it guarantees a victory. ::knock on wood::

Funny thing about the Fox coverage? Yankee fans are complaing about the announcers wanting the Red Sox to win so bad. I live in Houston, so all the Astros fans are whining that the announcers are pro St. Louis. In all honesty probably each of the four cities fans are complaining about the coverage. Overall I think the broadcast crew is weak. I’d take Harold Reynolds any day for accurate non partisan analysis.
Just my $.02

Quite a series this has been. And I’m not really even a big baseball fan, but I’m totally into it, and rooting for the Sox to go all the way. But after this series, I think that the World Series might end up being a let down for the American public, especially considering how much this has been publicized.

This series is about far more then just baseball.
This series is about hope that a team that has failed for so many years can somehow find a way to change history.
This series is about the faith that even when all seems lost, that truly miraculous things can happen.
This series is about loyalty to a team that is woven into the very fabric of life for many in New England.
This series is about finally being able to put to rest that silly notion of a curse.
But above all else this series is about the bonds it brings between the red sox players and family, friends, and strangers alike.
This series is about knowing my grand-father, who was born shortly after the Red Sox last won a world series and who is now up in heaven, is smiling down on his grandson who every spring proudly proclaimed “Don’t worry grand-dad, this is the year.”
I still believe it, this is the year. Go Sox!

I’m not the biggest baseball fan anymore but I have been trying to watch some of this series and it has been great.
I live in San Diego but I’m from Baltimore. I remember a few years ago the Orioles being robbed by a Yankee’s fan from possibly beating the Yankees. I’ve always wanted another team to take “revenge” on New York for that. Not that I care much now but I would absolutely love to see the Sox come from a 3 game deficit to whip the Yankees then go on to win the World Series.
Go Red Sox!

Sitting in my dorm room last night (I got to school in NH), minding my own business. The halls are completely silent, and all of a sudden the air is filled with “Woo’s” and “Yeah” and “Yankees Suck!” It was that instint I new the Sox had won.

McCarver’s comment about Matsui’s walk was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard from a baseball commentator. It was even worse than anything that comes out of Joe Morgan’s mouth (which is really really bad).

Let’s go SOX!!! I can’t wait for the game to start (in 4 minutes). This series has actually topped last year. I didn’t think that was possible.
I’m hoping for a sox victory, complete with 2 Manny Ramirez home runs and 2 shut out innings from Pedro.

I’m a Yanks fan, but I do have a great respect for what the Red Sox just did. Great job on their part, and the best of luck for the World Series. They deserve it after showing off their power like they did tonight.

Congrats Dan, you must be incredibly proud of your Red Sox :)
Last year was the year of the Marlin, and I was thrilled; now it’s time to give it up to Boston! I’ll be cheering along with you for the Sox to take the Series…

I’m speechless. To win four in a row against the Yankees… simply amazing. Boston is a madhouse — heck, there are even fireworks going off a few streets away here in Salem. I can’t even imagine how the World Series will be. We can only hope for better commentary from Fox. Buck and McCarver were horrendous.

All I have to say is boo. Obviously, I was rooting for the Yankees to win. No worries, even though you’re a Red Sox fan, I’ll still read your site. ;)
In all fairness, though I do realize the Sox gave it their all, and won deservingly. Wish I would not have missed the game because of work.

YAH!!! How wonderful! I only wish that Nomar could be a part of it… but Cab has been a wonderful SS for them! Now I hope we get the Astros and maybe Roger will let the Sox when so that he can see his old team finally win it all!

Last night was an amazing night of baseball. I was sitting in Busch for Edmonds’ walk-off, then came home to see the Sox crush the Yanks and win 4 straight. Let’s keep it going tonight for Game 7 of the NLCS. Here come the Cardinals, BoSox!

I am a New Yorker and a Yankee Fan. Every year in the playoffs my wife always says, “I hope Boston wins this time, they deserve it”. I respond with “what’s wrong with you!” and “if they (The Red Sox) deserved to win, than they would win”. Well I must say, as much as it pains me, this ALCS The Boston Red Sox deserved to win. They played great and never gave up! Good luck in the World Series. Oh yeah…see you next year!

Greg – Wonderful stuff! I’ll never forget that grandslam. What timing Johnny Damon had to pull out of his slump. I was amazed that both of his homeruns came off first pitches.
Also, it’s cool to see good natured Yankees fans — it takes both of these teams to create the drama that continually happens. They are so closely matched.

It was nice to see Pedro come in and pick up the Yankee fans. They needed it after the way the series went south.
The Sox were favored coming into the series and in the end they won 4 games versus the Yankees 3. It was just the order of those wins that made it unbelievable. Wow.

yes congratz to the redsox they definetely deserve it.. after saturdays humilation, they honed in and shut down our best hitters..every nite…I thought we’d grab the victory here in nYc but alas… the better team won and well earned….
cant imagine how wrecked and beat they must be physically right now, it was hard enough watching the games sittin on my futon, let alone playing…

It’s Game 3 here in St. Louis, the top of the 5th and Boston is currently winning 3-0. Being that I have been a St. Louisian since I was hatched, I guess I really ought to be snuggling with the wife on the couch right now watching a “Tuesday Night Miracle” begin to emerge (i’m sure it will start anytime now). But instead Dan I’m sitting up here reading your book. Great stuff! Love the tips and examples you present along with the plain english that you use for them.
Oh by the way GO CARDS!!!!!!!!
:)

*B*O*S*T*O*N* *B*A*B*Y* REDSOX NATION I love this team and I am so happy to see them finally get the credit they deserve! I really wish Nomar could have been able to experience it with them. I miss him !

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